Albany Tech holds capping and pinning for nursing graduates

Albany — Albany Technical College’s Healthcare Technology division held its 2016 spring capping and pinning ceremonies in the Kirkland Conference Center Tuesday.

Nearly 40 students were capped or pinned in the following programs during the ceremony: Practical Nursing, Pharmacy Technology, Paramedicine Technology and Radiologic Technology.

Kim Abel, a student in the Radiologic Technology program, gave a welcome from the student body, and Jill Peterson, a student in the Practical Nursing program and a finalist for the 2016 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership Student of the Year, provided a vocal performance.

The event’s keynote speaker was Arvelta Brown, LPN, and Regional Education Nurse Coordinator for Ethical Health and Retirement Skilled Nursing Facilities. Brown is a two-time graduate of Albany Technical College, receiving her diploma in Dental Assisting in 1998 and a diploma in Practical Nursing in 2014.

She began her nursing career at Lee County Health and Rehabilitation. During her time there, she was named Employee of the Month and worked side by side with Certified Nurse Assistants when needed on the floor and was responsible for the proper functioning of the facility during overnight shifts. She was also the MDS coordinator backup and resident care coordinator.

During the ceremony, four graduates — Tequila Duncan, Stacey Gay, Jessica Holley and Lakondria West — were pinned. Four more graduates — Rhonda Cox, David Phinazee, Toshirio Rivers and Alyssa Silva — were pinned.